Tokyo Startup, Anaut, Introduces AI System to Revolutionise Endoscopic Surgery
Tokyo-based startup Anaut has developed an AI system called Eureka Alpha to assist surgeons during endoscopic surgeries. The system analyses endoscopic images in real-time and displays the location of the tissue to be operated on. The AI system aims to reduce cognitive errors during surgery and improve patient safety.
The Eureka Alpha system works by analysing images captured by an endoscope inside the patient's body. It then displays the location of the tissue to be operated on in blue on an AI-equipped monitor. The surgeon can perform the procedure using a regular monitor, making the process more efficient and precise.
The introduction of this AI system is expected to greatly improve the precision of surgical procedures and make the job of surgeons easier. By providing real-time assistance and accurate visual guidance, the Eureka Alpha system reduces the risk of cognitive errors during surgery, ultimately enhancing patient safety.
Endoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting an endoscope, a tube with a camera and light, through a small opening in the abdomen. This allows surgeons to visualise the internal organs and perform medical procedures without the need for large incisions. Compared to traditional abdominal surgery, endoscopic procedures offer reduced risks to patients and faster recovery times.
The demand for endoscopic procedures has been steadily increasing in Japan, with the number of such surgeries rising from around 50,000 in 2000 to nearly 300,000 in 2021, according to the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery. However, these procedures require a high level of skill and experience, as organs can move or change shape during the operation. This is where the AI-based system developed by Anaut comes into play, providing valuable assistance to surgeons in accurately identifying and navigating the organs.
Anaut CEO Nao Kobayashi, who is also a surgeon and the founder of the company, expressed the goal of reducing cognitive errors during surgery and making operations safer. The company plans to initially market the Eureka Alpha system to 100 hospitals in Japan, with future plans to expand into international markets such as the United States and Asia.
Another Japanese company, Jmees, has also developed a similar AI-based system for endoscopic surgeries. Their SurVis system assists with endoscopic hysterectomies by displaying the location of the bladder and ureter in different colours on the screen, reducing the risk of organ damage during the procedure.
The development of high-precision surgical AI systems heavily relies on the vast amount of surgical video data available. Japan, in particular, has a significant trove of such data, which has been utilised by both Anaut and Jmees in training their AI systems. Anaut used around 2,000 surgical videos from 25 hospitals, while Jmees trained their SurVis system using videos of approximately 600 hysterectomies collected through the National Cancer Center's network.
Tokyo-based startup Anaut has developed an AI system called Eureka Alpha to assist surgeons during endoscopic surgeries.
The system analyses endoscopic images in real-time and displays the location of the tissue to be operated on.
The AI system aims to reduce cognitive errors during surgery and improve patient safety. Source: NIKKEI ASIA